1. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE
To work supporting the Head of Finance and the Senior Leadership team, to manage their financial performance by providing value-added financial support. The Management Accountant will combine both financial expertise and commercial acumen to constructively challenge and provide valuable insight to support the decision-making process. The role is pivotal within the business, ensuring that financial targets are achieved and all deadlines are met in line with company policies, procedures, and objectives.
The Management Accountant is the first point of contact for finance matters, responsible for accurate financial reporting, effective supervision of the Finance Officer and Senior Finance Assistant, and ensuring that all key finance processes operate efficiently and in compliance with controls.
2. MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Produce weekly sales information for the Shops management team.
• Produce the monthly management accounts for Shops and Hospice, including full commentary and variance analysis.
• Deliver detailed financial and business analysis to support strategic decision-making and service improvements.
• Provide high-quality financial insights to Budget Holders, Senior Leadership Teams, and Trustees.
• Support budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes, working with the Head of Finance to ensure timely and accurate outputs.
• Contribute to 12–18 month cash-flow forecasting, providing accurate inputs and analysis to support planning.
Financial Controls & Processes
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts monthly.
• Ensure weekly bank reconciliations are completed, reviewed, and issues escalated. (added for bank reconciliation oversight)
• Take end-to-end responsibility for the Gift Aid notification/claiming process, including automation of the current process.
• Prepare VAT returns for both Shops and Hospice.
• Manage fund accounting, ensuring accurate tracking of restricted and unrestricted income.
• Manage the Fixed Asset Register for both Shops and Hospice, ensuring accurate depreciation and reporting.
• Oversee AP/AR policy and cut-off processes, ensuring compliance with organisational controls and deadlines.
• Review, improve, and implement financial processes and controls to drive efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
Leadership & Team Oversight
• Line manage and supervise the Finance Officer and Senior Finance Assistant, providing guidance, workload oversight, and ensuring compliance with agreed processes.
• Oversee income capture, EPOS→bank processes, and exception handling, ensuring accuracy and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Ensure that FO and SFA are supported to deliver AP, AR, banking, and income capture tasks effectively.
• Deputise for the Head of Finance when required.
Audit, Compliance & Systems
• Assist the Head of Finance with preparation for audit and other statutory returns.
• Support policy implementation in line with Delegations of Authority, journals policy, and the financial close calendar.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of accounting systems, oversee finance system data hygiene, and support finance system developments (e.g., new accounting systems, EPOS updates).
Continuous Improvement & Projects
• Drive continuous improvement in financial reporting, KPI monitoring, and processes, including better use of technology.
• Support finance projects such as system upgrades, VAT/Gift Aid reviews, and process automation.
3. GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Comply with and promote St. Luke’s Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Work in line with St Luke’s Mission & Core Values.
• Undertake any further duties that arise as the post develops, commensurate with the role.
4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Comply with and promote St. Luke's Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy and avoid any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients/clients or their families on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, creed, class, gender or sexual orientation.
5. MISSION & CORE VALUES
All Hospice staff are expected to work in line with St Luke's Mission & Core Values, as these precepts form the basis of our values, directly influencing how all work activities are undertaken. The ethos of the Hospice should be apparent in the behaviours and attitudes of all employees as the work they undertake, whether it is direct or indirect care, is ultimately for the benefit of patients. The Mission and Core Values are an integral part of all job descriptions, the probationary period and performance and development reviews.
6. OTHER
St Luke's Hospice is committed to Equal Opportunities for all present and potential staff members and patients. Therefore, St Luke's Hospice expects all employees and volunteers to understand, support, and apply this policy through their working practices, which requires all individuals to be treated with respect, dignity, courtesy, fairness and consideration.